Epimedium plant named ‘AMBER QUEEN’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Epimedium  plant named ‘AMBER QUEEN’ that is characterized by clumping habit, spiny holly-like leaflets that are green and russet in color, and amber-orange spurred flowers that are held above two distinct layers of foliage. In combination these traits set ‘AMBER QUEEN’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Epimedium  known to the inventor.

Genus: Epimedium. Species: wushanense×flavum.

Denomination: ‘AMBER QUEEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of bishop's hat grown for use as an ornamental for container, rock garden, or as a groundcover in the landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Epimedium wushanense×E. flavum and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘AMBER QUEEN’.

‘AMBER QUEEN’ is a plant hybrid that resulted from the deliberate cross-hybridization of Epimedium wushanense ‘Caramel’ (unpatented) and Epimedium flavum (unpatented). The seed parent is an individual Epimedium wushanense ‘Caramel’ and the pollen parent is an individual Epimedium flavum. The deliberate cross-hybridization was conducted in 1994 by the inventor at the inventor's nursery in Hampshire, England.

The inventor selected the new Epimedium cultivar named ‘AMBER QUEEN’ in 1994 based on the distinguishing characteristics of flower shape and flower color. The new Epimedium variety ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is readily distinguishable from the parents by flower shape and flower color. There are no close comparison plants known to the inventor.

‘AMBER QUEEN’ is semi-evergreen, characterized by clumping habit, spiny holly-like leaflets that are green and russet in color, and amber-orange spurred flowers that are held above the leaves. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ exhibits two distinct layers of foliage, due to the difference in length between basal stems and the subsequently basally branching stems. Essentially herbaceous, ‘AMBER QUEEN’ will retain leaves when winter temperatures are above minus 10° Centigrade.

The first asexual reproduction of the new Epimedium cultivar ‘AMBER QUEEN’ was conducted in 1995 by the method of division. Division of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ was accomplished by the inventor, at the inventor's nursery in Hampshire, England. Since that time the distinguishing characteristics of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ have been determined stable, fixed and reproduce true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the characteristics of the new Epimedium cultivar ‘AMBER QUEEN’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘AMBER QUEEN’ from all other commercial varieties of Epimedium known to the inventor. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, without however, any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ exhibits clumping habit.     -   2. The foliage of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is semi-evergreen.     -   3. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ exhibits amber-orange spurred flowers that are         held above two distinct layers of foliage.     -   4. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ exhibits spiny holly-like leaflets that are         green with strong russet mottling when juvenile and green in         color when mature.     -   5. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is propagated by the method of division.     -   6. At maturity ‘AMBER QUEEN’ ranges from 60 cm. to 90 cm. in         width, and ranges from 45 cm. to 75 cm. in height when in bloom.     -   7. Cultural requirements of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ are full deep shade to         partial shade, fertile humus-rich soil, and regular water.     -   8. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is hardy to minus 10° Centigrade and will         retain leaves above this temperature.     -   9. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is suitable for use in container, rock garden,         or as a groundcover in the landscape.     -   11. ‘AMBER QUEEN’ blooms in April, May and June.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the overall appearance of the new Epimedium cultivar ‘AMBER QUEEN’ showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The drawings were made in May and June 2005 from 12-month-old plants in 2-liter containers. The plants were greenhouse grown in Hampshire, England. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety of Epimedium named ‘AMBER QUEEN’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts a single whole plant of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ in flower.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the mature and juvenile leaflets. The juvenile leaflets, shown on the right of the drawing, are initially strongly mottled with a reddish-brown colorations which disappear as spring advances. The leaflets, when mature, are shown on the left of the drawing, and are uniformly green in color.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of an inflorescence of ‘AMBER QUEEN’ which is suspended from the peduncle. The ventral aspect of the flower is downward facing and is shown on the left of the drawing with the flower rotated through 180 degrees. The dorsal aspect of the flower is shown on the right of the drawing.

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 were made using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Epimedium variety named ‘AMBER QUEEN’. Data was collected from 2-liter container plants that were greenhouse grown in Hampshire, England. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2001 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Epimedium wushanense×E. flavum ‘AMBER     QUEEN’. -   Genus: Epimedium. -   Species: wushanense×flavum. -   Denomination: ‘AMBER QUEEN.’ -   Common name: Bishop's hat. -   Commercial classification: Ornamental. -   Plant type: Herbaceous perennial. -   Commercial container size: Recommended commercial container size is     a 2-liter container. -   Cultural requirements: Provide full deep shade to partial shade,     fertile humus-rich soil, and adequate but not excess water. -   Plant parentage: ‘AMBER QUEEN’ is a plant hybrid that resulted from     the deliberate cross-hybridization of the following parent plants:     -   -   Seed parent.—An individual Epimedium wushanense ‘Caramel’             (unpatented).         -   Pollen parent.—An individual Epimedium flavum (unpatented). -   Plant description:     -   -   Blooming period.—April, May and June.         -   Plant habit.—Clumping habit.         -   Plant use.—Grown for use in container, rock garden or as a             groundcover for the landscape.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Root system.—Fine and fibrous roots.         -   Plant width (at maturity).—At maturity ‘AMBER QUEEN’ ranges             from 60 cm. to 90 cm. in width.         -   Plant height (at maturity).—In bloom at maturity ‘AMBER             QUEEN’ ranges from 45 cm. to 75 cm. in height.         -   Plant growth rate.—Plant spreads by rhizomes 1.5 cm. to             2.5 cm. annually.         -   Plant hardiness.—Hardy to minus 10° Centigrade.         -   Plant propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using the             method of division.         -   Crop time.—12 months are needed to produce a commercial             2-liter container plant from division.         -   Special growing considerations.—Cut back in late winter             before new growth resumes, and divide clumps in spring.         -   Pest or disease resistance and susceptibility.—No particular             susceptibility or resistance to pests or diseases have been             noted to date. In general, Epimediums are considered             resistant to eating or browsing by deer but such has not yet             been determined or confirmed for ‘AMBER QUEEN’. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basal stems arise from rhizomes with some             branching at or around aerial emergence. All stems appear to             arise from the base. The basally branching stems bear             foliage at a height of 10 cm to 15 cm above the foliage of             the basal (rhizomatous) stems.         -   Stem color.—152A.         -   Stem dimensions.—Range from 1 mm. to 3 mm. in diameter and             4 cm. to 30 cm. in length.         -   Stem surface.—Glaucous surface.         -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem texture.—Wiry.         -   Stem strength.—Moderate.         -   Stem pubescence.—None observed.         -   Rhizome color.—Colors 185A, 185B, and 186D are individually             present on an individual rhizome.         -   Rhizome diameter.—Rhizome is 2 mm. in diameter.         -   Rhizome internode.—Internode ranges from 1.5 cm. to 2 cm. in             length. -   Foliage:     -   -   Foliage type.—Semi-evergreen.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Whorled.         -   Leaf division.—Biternately compound leaf.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet texture (juvenile             leaflets).—Satiny texture.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet texture (mature             leaflets).—Leather-like texture.         -   Durability of basal and cauline leaf to stress.—Moderate to             high durability.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet margins (juvenile and             mature).—Serrate margins.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet shape (juvenile and             mature).—Lanceolate shape.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet apex (juvenile and mature).—Acute             apex.         -   Basal and cauline leaflet base (juvenile and             mature).—Cordate base.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet pubescence (abaxial and             adaxial surfaces).—None observed.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet pubescence (abaxial and             adaxial surfaces).—None observed.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet surface (abaxial             surface).—Glossy surface.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet surface (adaxial             surface).—Glaucous surface.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet surface (abaxial             surface).—Glossy surface.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet surface (adaxial             surface).—Glaucous surface.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet length.—Leaflet is 6 cm.             in length.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet length.—Leaflet is 8 cm. in             length.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet width.—Leaflet is 3 cm.             in width.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet width.—Leaflet is 3.5 cm.             in width.         -   Basal and cauline leaf and leaflet attachment.—Petiolate             attachment.         -   Basal petiole dimensions.—4 cm. to 5 cm. in length and             2.50 mm. in diameter.         -   Cauline petiole dimensions.—5.50 cm. in length and 2.50 mm.             in diameter.         -   Basal and cauline petiole color.—152A.         -   Basal petiolule dimensions.—Petiolule is 1.50 mm. in             diameter and 3 cm. to 5 cm. in length.         -   Cauline petiolule dimensions.—Petiolule is 1.50 mm. in             diameter and 3 cm. to 5 cm. in length.         -   Basal and cauline petiolule color.—152A.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet color (abaxial             surface).—146A.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet color (adaxial             surface).—Opens russet brown 166A becoming green 138A or             138B with age, commencing at the base and along center vein             and in spots or blotches which eventually coalesce to form             entire green coloration in mature leaf.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet color (abaxial             surface).—146A.         -   Basil and cauline mature leaflet color (adaxial             surface).—138B.         -   Basal and cauline venation pattern (juvenile and mature             leaflets).—Palmate.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet vein color (abaxial             surface).—146A.         -   Basal and cauline juvenile leaflet vein color (adaxial             surface).—166A except where replaced with 138A or 138B as             leaflet matures.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet vein color (abaxial             surface).—146A.         -   Basal and cauline mature leaflet vein color (adaxial             surface).—138A.         -   Fragrance.—None observed. -   Flower:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Compound panicle.         -   Number of flowers and buds.—35-80 flowers and buds combined             per individual 2-liter-container plant.         -   Bloom period.—April, May and June.         -   Flower shape.—Like a bishop's hat in shape.         -   Flower diameter.—Individual flowers range from 3 cm. to             3.5 cm. in diameter on an individual plant.         -   Flower depth.—Individual flowers are 1.75 cm. in depth.         -   Flower color.—Individual colors 165A, 170D, 8B, and 32A are             present on an individual flower.         -   Flower petals.—Four petals in number.         -   Petals fused or unfused.—Petals are fused.         -   Petal color (ventral and dorsal surfaces).—32A.         -   Petal dimensions (length).—15 mm to 18 mm.         -   Petal dimensions (width, depth, at base).—Width 6 mm, depth             4.5 mm.         -   Petal dimensions (width, depth, at 5 mm from base).—Width             1.5 mm, depth 1.5 mm.         -   Calcar (spur).—Four in number.         -   Calcar color.—8B.         -   Calcar dimensions.—2 mm. in diameter and 1 cm. in length.         -   Bud shape.—Globular in shape.         -   Bud surface.—Pubescent.         -   Bud apex.—Obtuse apex.         -   Bud color.—Individual colors 165B and 175C are present on an             individual bud.         -   Bud dimensions.—5 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in height.         -   Sepals.—8 sepals in number per individual flower, 4 dorsal             sepals and 4 ventral sepals. The 4 dorsal sepals are shed as             an individual flower opens.         -   Dorsal sepal surface (abaxial surface).—Pubescent.         -   Dorsal sepal surface (adaxial surface).—Pubescent.         -   Ventral sepal surface (abaxial surface).—Pubescent.         -   Ventral sepal surface (adaxial surface).—Pubescent.         -   Dorsal sepal shape.—Narrowly ovate in shape.         -   Ventral sepal shape.—Narrowly ovate in shape.         -   Dorsal sepal color.—165A.         -   Ventral sepal color.—170D.         -   Sepal margin (dorsal and ventral sepals).—Entire.         -   Sepal apex (dorsal and ventral sepals).—Acuminate.         -   Dorsal sepal length.—Dorsal sepal ranges from 4 mm. to 5 mm.             in length.         -   Dorsal sepal width.—2 mm. in width.         -   Ventral sepal length.—1 cm. in length.         -   Ventral sepal width.—4 mm. in width.         -   Peduncle dimensions.—Individual peduncle is 35 cm. in length             and 2.50 mm. in diameter.         -   Peduncle surface.—Glaucous.         -   Peduncle color.—197B.         -   Pedicel dimensions.—Individual pedicel is 1.25 mm. in             diameter and 2 cm. in length.         -   Pedicel surface.—Glaucous.         -   Pedicel color.—197B.         -   Flower fragrance.—None observed. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—4 stamens in number.         -   Stamen color.—9B.         -   Pistil.—One pistil in number.         -   Pistil color.—9B.         -   Anther color.—9B.         -   Pollen color.—9B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit shape.—Capsular.         -   Fruit dimensions.—1.5-2 cm. in length and 1.5 mm. in width.         -   Fruit colors.—Individual colors 146A and 144A are present on             an individual fruit. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Epimedium plant named ‘AMBER QUEEN’, as described and illustrated herein. 